Folding step for trucks



June 24, 1941. p. PELLEGRN] 2,246,986

FOLDING STEP FOR TRUCKS Filed Sept. 2, 1939 I A (262K Patented June 24,1941 FOLDING STEP FOR TRUCKS Phillip Pellegrini, Glendale, Calif.,assignor to Virgil McCombs, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application September 2, 1939, Serial No. 293,205

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in truck steps of the typeforming the subject matter of my application for patent, Serial No.225,317, filed August 17, 1938. g

A purpose of the present invention is to simplify the construction andoperation of truck steps of the character described whereby to provide astep which consists of comparatively few parts, is subject to easierinstallation upon a truck or the like, may be more quickly and easilymoved from out of the way position beneath the truck, into position ofuse extending outwardly from the truck and vice versa, and will berugged and strong yet light in weight, rattleproof, capable of longservice, and automatically locked against accidental movement out of itsretracted and extended positions in a particularly novel and eiiicaciousmanner.

Another purpose of my invention is to provide in a folding truck step ofthe character described a novel form'of hanging or suspension meansincluding pairs of supporting members which are pivoted on the truck andthe step unit in such a manner as to provide for the desired movement ofthe step into and out of position of use as well as the locking of thestep against accidental movement out of position of use, said memberscoacting when the step is in position of use, so that they willeifectively brace and lend rigidity to the structure as well as lock itas aforesaid, without the use of latches, links or other extraneouselements as heretofore required in this art to lock or hold the step inposition of use.

A further purpose is to provide in a step of the character described anovel and simple form of latch means which will automatically lock thestep in-out-of-the-way position incident to the movement of the step insuch position.

I have shown in the accompanying drawing a preferred form of foldingstep for trucks, embodying my invention, subject however, tomodification within the scope of the appended claims, without departingfrom the spirit of my invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a truck step embodying my invention aswhen installed on a truck and disposed in position of use.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the step as when held in out of the wayposition beneath the bed or platform of the truck, the dotted linesshowing the safe position the step will assume should the latch meansfail to operate or accidentally release the step.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section on the plane of line4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken on the plane of line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

One embodiment of step apparatus of my invention, will now be describedin detail and as shown in the accompanying drawing generally includes, astep structure or unit A, a suspension or hanging means B thereforarranged to be pivotally suspended from the bed or platform C of a truckor the like and connected with the step unit in such manner as toprovide for movement of such unit from out-of-the-way position (Fig. 2)lying beneath and inwardly spaced inwardly from the edge (side or end)of the truck platform, into position of use (Fig. 1) extended outwardlyfrom said edge, and vice versa, together with a manually releasablelatch means D whichwill automatically lock the step unit inout-of-the-way position.

The step unit A may consist of one or more step treads and a suitableframe work, as desired, depending upon the height of the platform fromthe ground and other conditions at hand; It may consist of fixed treadsor have at least one tread foldable into and out of position of use. 7

In the present embodiment of my invention, I have shown a step structureor unit which includes skeleton side frames 6, an upper tread 1 weldedor otherwise fixed to and between the upper ends of the said frames, anda lower tread 8 supported by and between the lower ends of the sideframes. The lower tread 8 may, as here shown, be pivoted to the sideframes by means of a crossrod 9 or otherwise, in such manner that it ismovable into and out of position of use. Flanges II] are provided on theends of the lower tread and engage the inner surfaces of the side framesto serve as guides and lend rigidity and strength to the structure.Headed pins H are inserted through arcu-ate slots I 2 in these flangesand then riveted on the side frames for slidably securing the flangesand side frames together. When swung inwardly the lower tread 8 will bedisposed in out-of-the-way position as seen in Fig. 2, and the step unitmade more compact. When swung outwardly the lower tread, limited by thepins ll engaging the ends of the slots l2, will be disposed and rigidlysupported in position of use as shown in Fig. 1.

' The means B for supporting the step unit A includes angle brackets I3adapted to be bolted of the step as shown to the truck platform C forpivotally suspending therefrom an outer pair of stepunit supporting armsor members l4 and an inner pair of step unit supporting arms l5. Inaccordance with my invention these members are so constructed,relatively arranged and pivoted to the truck and step unit that thelatter may be readily disposed in the out-of-the-way and. extendedpositions shown in Figs. 2 and 1, respectively, with considerable easeand at will, the supporting members engaging one another to limit themovement thereof to position locking the step unit in position of use,when the step is disposed in such position. By having the step unitsupporting members arranged to act as stops and as braces while alsolooking the step unit in position of use, the use of links, latches andextraneous elements for holding the step rigidly and safely in positionof use is unnecessary and the step structure is therefore greatlysimplified and reduced as to cost as well as made easier of operation.

Referring more specifically to the hanging and supporting means B it isseen that the supporting members IA are pivoted at their upper ends bymeans of the crossrod It to the brackets 13 on the truck platform,whereas the lower ends thereof are pivoted to the side frames 6 by meansof a similar crossrod l7.

As here shown the members l4 lie upon the outer surfaces of the sideframes 6 and are pivoted thereto at points rearwardly of the center andbetween the upper and lower ends thereof, so that the step unit tends togravitate outwardly and downwardly about the axis of the pivotalconnection of said members and side frames.

The supporting members I5 lying inwardly of the members M are pivoted attheir upper ends to the brackets l3 by means of a crossrod I8, whereastheir lower ends are pivoted to the side frames 6 by means of a crossrodl9, at points spaced from the pivot points of the members 14. As hereshown, the members [5 are pivoted adjacent the upper and inner cornersof the side frame as when the step unit is in position of use,

whereby the members 14 will contact the member V IE to serve as stopsand hold the step unit against unintentional movement out of position ofuse as best shown in Fig. 1. Any construction and arrangement of themembers l4 and l5 may be used provided they will co-act to act as stopand hold the step unit firmly and safely in position of use. In thepresent instances the members. 14 and I5 are in the same vertical planessothat their edges will contact. Consequently the members M are providedwith obliquely extending intermediate portions Ma, the edges of whichwill engage the edges of the members 15 which latter are straight. Thiscontact taking place at and adjacent the lower ends of the members 15and between the ends of the members 14 will insure an effecting bracingof the step unit and a secure locking thereof against accidentalmovement out of position of use.

Another factor insuring an effective holding of the step unit inposition of use is that the relative arrangement of the pivotalconnections of the members l4 and I5 with the, truck supported bracketsis and the step unit, provide a toggle action wherein the pivot pointsof the members l5 on the step unit are disposed past center, i. e. paststraight lines X drawn through the pivots at the ends of the members 14and also past straight lines Y drawn, through the lower pivot points ofthe members and the upper pivot points of the members 15., as seen inFig. 1. In

other words the portions 6a of the side frames 6, lying between thelower pivots of the members I4 and I5 respectively, together with themembers I5 themselves, constitute toggles which as shown in Fig. 1, movepast center and at the toggle joints thereof, and contact theintermediate portions of the members l4 when the step unit is inposition of use, whereby to lock the step unit as aforesaid. When thuslocked the step unit will not collapse or move under downward pressureas would be exerted when a person steps on the inner or back parts ofthe step treads of the step unit, or in fact steps on any part of saidunit. However, when the step unit is lifted from beneath it may be swungupwardly and inwardly beneath the truck, the members l4 and I5 movingfreely apart and swinging inwardly as the step unit is moved or pushedinwardly towards its out-of-the-way position.

When the members l4 swing rearwardly a predetermined extent, the latchmeans D will automaticallyildck said members and the step unit inout-of-the-way position as shown in Fig. 2 in full lines. The latchmeans D as here employed comprises a crossrod or shaft '20 (see .Fig. 5)rotatably supported by and between the brackets I3. Fixed on the outerends of the shaft 20 by means of fastenings 2i and 22, so. as to dependfrom said shaft are la ch members 23 having one or more notches 24 forlocking-1y receivingpins 25 fixed on the members it, As the members. areswung inwardly during movement of the, step unit into retracted positionthe pins .25 engage the cam ends 23' of the latch members, 23 and movepast said ends on the under sides. of the latch members to points pastthe notches 24 and then come to rest in said notches due to thegravitational movements of the members [4 and said latch members,whereby to automatically lock :the step unit in retracted position,

Handles 21 fixed to and depending from said latch members as shown inFig. 5 provide for release of the latches 23. These handles also act asweights to insure a quick gravitational movement of the latch membersinto locking engagement with the pins 25, whereby to insure a looking,of the step unit should the latter be quickly and'forcibiy moved intoout-of-the-way position. v

Should the step unit while in retracted position, be backed against. aloading platform or the like, it will move, inwardly and thus. yieldsufficiently to prevent. damage thereof. The latches will catch and lockthe step unit as it swings back into its normal retracted position.Should the latch means fail to a, tomatically lock or accidental yrelease. the step unit will swing outward but not sufficiently to extendbeyond the adjacent edge of the truck platform. The dotted line showingin Fig. 2 indicates the safe position the step structure will assumewhen the latches are released or fail to automatically lock when thestep unit is moved into retracted position.

It is now apparent that when the latches are released it is necessaryfor the operator to grasp and pull outwardly on the step in order tobring it into position of use from the position shown in dotted lines inFig. .2, the latter position being the position into which the step willgravitate without the assistance of .the operator. As the step unitswings into positionof use the foldable. tread 8 thereof .tends .toswing downwardly and outwardly into horizontally extended position, butmay be positively moved into such position by the operator when desired.When a step havin fixed treads is used it is obvious that it will eraviestep is swung outward on the members l4 and I5.

Should it be desired to cause the step unit to gravitationally swinginto fully extended position upon release of the latches, this can beaccomplished by setting the latches to support the step in a higherposition, rearwardly and upwardly spaced from that shown in Fig. 2,whereby the increased momentum thus afiorded will carry the step pastthe dotted line position (Fig. 2) it would otherwise assume.

I claim: 1

1. A step for trucks, comprising a step unit and means for mounting saidunit on a truck, for movement from out of the way position into positionof use and vice versa, including pairs of supporting members pivotallysuspended on the truck, and pivot means connecting said pairs ofsupporting members with said unit at points so spaced and related thatportions of said members will have edge to edge contact to limit themovement of said members and said unit and hold the unit in position foruse as a step, upon the movement thereof into such position.

2. A step for trucks, comprising a step unit and means for mounting saidunit on a truck for movement from out of the way position into positionof use and vice versa, including pairs of supporting members pivotallysuspended on the truck, and pivot means connecting said pairs ofsupporting members with said unit in such a manner that the members ofone pair will engage the members of the other pair to limit the movementof said members and unit and hold the unit in position for use uponmovement thereof into such position.

3. A step for trucks, comprising a step unit, and means for mountingsaid unit on a truck for movement from an out of way position into aposition for use and vice versa, including a pair of supporting memberspivotally suspended on the truck, pivot means connecting said pair ofmembers with said unit, another pair of supporting members pivotallysuspended on the truck, other pivot means connecting the second namedpair of supporting members with said unit at points which are spacedabove the first named pivot connection on the unit, when said unit isdisposed in a position of use, said pairs of members being arranged sothat the members of one pair at points adjacent the unit connected endsthereof will contact the members of the other pair when the step isdisposed in position of use, for holding said step against accidentalmovement out of such position.

4. A step for trucks comprising a step unit, and means for mounting saidunit on a truck for movement from an out of the way position into aposition for use and vice versa, including a pair of supporting memberspivotally suspended on a truck, pivot means connecting said pair ofmembers with said unit, another pair of supporting members pivotallysuspended on the truck, other pivot means connecting the second namedpair of supporting members with said unit at points which are spacedabove the first named pivot connections on the unit, when said unit isdisposed in a position of use, said pairs of members being arranged sothat the members of one pair, at points adjacent the unit connected endsthereof, will contact the members of the other pair when the step isdisposed in position of use, for holding said step against accidentalmovement out of such position, the members of said pairs extendingdownwardly and outwardly from the'truck connected portions thereof when.the

step unit is in position of use, and extending inwardly and downwardlyfrom such truck connected points when the step is in use of the out ofway position. H V

5. A step for trucks, comprising a step unit, means for mounting saidunit on a truck for movement from out of the. way position into positionof use and vice versa, including pairs ofsupporting. members pivotally,suspended vvon the truck, pivot means connecting said pairs of memberswith said unit at points so. spaced and related that portions of saidmembers will have edge to edge contact to limit the movement of saidmembers and unit and hold the unit in position for use as a step andlatch means for automatically locking said supporting members againstmovement from out of the way position when the step unit is moved intosuch position.

6. A step for trucks, comprising a step unit, means for mounting saidunit on a truck for movement from out of the way position into positionof use and vice versa, including pairs of supporting members pivotallysuspended on the truck, pivot means connecting said pairs of memberswith said unit at points so spaced and related that portions of saidmembers will abut one another to limit the movement of said members andunit and hold the unit in position for use as a step, latch means forautomatically locking said supporting members against movement from outof the way position when the step unit is moved into such position, andmanually operable means for leasing said latch means.

7. A step for trucks, comprising a step unit, means for mounting saidunit on a truck for movement from out of the way position into positionof use and vice versa, including pairs of supporting members pivotallysuspended on the truck, pivot means connecting said pairs of memberswith said unit in such a manner that the members of one pair will engagethe members of the other pair to limit the movement of said members andunit and hold the unit in position for use, latch members adapted to bepivotally mounted on the truck for gravitational movement into lockingposition, and elements on the supporting members of one pair adapted tobe engaged by said latch members when the step unit is moved into out ofthe Way position, for retaining said unit and the said supportingmembers in out of the way position.

8. A step for trucks, comprising a step unit and means for mounting saidunit on a truck for movement from out of the way position into positionof use and vice versa, including pairs of supporting members pivotallysuspended on the truck, pivot means connecting said pairs of memberswith said unit in such a manner that the members of one pair will engagethe members of the other pair to limit the movement of said members andunit and hold the unit in position for use, latch members adapted to bepivotally mounted on the truck for gravitational movement into lockingposition, pins on the supporting members of one pair adapted to beengaged by said latch members when the step unit is moved into out ofthe way position, for retaining said unit and the said supportingmembers in out of the way position, and manually operable membersassociated with said latch members so as to normally urge said latchmembers into latching position and being movable for releasing saidlatch members.

ing members with the '9. A step for trucks comprising a. step unit,means for mounting said unit on a truck for movement into and out ofposition of use, including outer supporting members pivotally .suspendedon the truck at their upper ends, pivot means connecting the lower endsof said supportstep unit at a. point such that said step unit tends togravitate forward and downward, inner supporting members pivotallysuspended on the truck at their upper ends, pivot means tor connectingthe lower ends of said inner members to the step unit at points whichare unit, to a position of use,

spaced above the first named pivot. means and so located that the lowerportions of the inner members will contact intermediate portions of theouter members to limit the movement of the step with the second pivotmeans spaced outwardly from a straight line drawn betweenthe first namedpivot means and the points of pivotal connection of the inner memberswith the truck whereby to lock the 10 step unit in position of use.

PHILLIP PELLEGRINI.

